Kingstonian boss Alan Dowson reckons a dream FA Cup run will do more for the club than last year’s Ryman League Premier Division play-off final appearance.

Ks received a bye into the second qualifying round - thanks to the demise of Croydon Athletic - and travel to league rivals Margate this weekend.

Dowson led the Kingsmeadow outfit to the brink of the Blue Square South last season, but is yet to take a team to the first round proper as a manager.

KIngstonian have a giant-killing tradition and the 40-year-old insists this is the year he wants re-ignite the club’s love affair with the world’s most famous domestic cup competition.

“It would be huge for this club to get in the first round proper and it is something I’m desperate to do,” he said.

“I have to say I’m jealous of some of the runs other non-League clubs have had in recent years and I can’t see why we can’t do it.

“If we’d got into the Blue Square South last year I think we would have struggled and I don’t think it would have done a great deal for us.

“It would mean a massive amount from a football perspective if we got there, let alone the finances.

“It is the best way to get us back on the map and the players are very aware of that.”

Dowson, whose side lost 1-0 to Maidstone United on Saturday, lost out to League One Dagenham & Redbridge in an audacious attempt to land the signature of former Tranmere Rovers star Bas Savage.

But the former Walton & Hersham boss is sure he’ll land his man should he decide to move into the non-League game.

“He is on a week to week contract there and played 20 minutes for Dagenham at the weekend, so we are watching how it goes,” he added.

“I thought I had him but Dagenham have got a few injuries they want him to cover. Should it not work out for him then we’ll be interested.

“He’ll not go anywhere else in non-League football, so it is not all over.”

Kingstonian’s next three games: Sept 25 Margate (FAC, a), Oct 2 Canvey Island (a), 4 Sutton Utd (h).